Page:Charles Sedelmayer - Secretan sale 1889 - catalogueofceleb00gale 0.djvu/9

 It is areal pleasure to me, to present Mr. Secrétan’s collection to the American amateurs, in this English Catalogue, which the managers of the sale have pecially made for them. Since long I owe to the Americans my expression of gratitude for the kind reception, they gave to my articles on the collection of the Cent chefs-d'œuvre. I know that this publication has a wide circulation across the Atlantic; and I am greatly flattered by this generous hospitality, given to a work which is dear to me. I have also before my eyes, the Catalogues of some American Collections, where the titles of the paintings are sometimes accompanied by quotations ol the sentiments which these paintings had suggested to me. For these various tokens of sympathy with the art-critic, I had always a desire to thank the great American people, who have given such a beautiful satisfaction to my career as a writer. The sale of the Secretan Gallery offers me that opportuny, I had so long looked for. I do not believe, that I can show, in a better manner, my gratitude to the Americans of good taste, than by presenting to them another series or chefs-d'oeuvre, this time united in a single Collection.

The Secretan Collection will be talked of, long after it has ceased to exist. The auctioneer may knock down these magnificent works